Laboratory. The meeting was attended by USAID Safe Water, Holy Trinity College, Philippine Institute of
In General Santos City, a new system is making waves in the realm of environmental and water conservation. Originally known as the GenSan Local Water Alliance, this initiative began in 2022 but has since transformed into the GenSan Environment and Water Network (GEWN) to tackle water security and broader environmental challenges. Spearheaded by USAID’s Safewater Philippines, GEWN represents a unique partnership among local institutions, government agencies, and NGOs—all dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for GenSan.
GEWN employs a collaborative strategy, with members such as Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), General Santos City Water District (GSCWD), Mindanao State University, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and various civic organizations. Every institution offers skills to tackle intricate challenges such as water demand, pollution management, and ecological restoration. USAID’s assistance and resources have been necessary, enabling members to formulate successful plans and community-oriented water and environmental management solutions.
The network’s initiatives started with forums and instructional sessions centered on Water Demand Management (WDM). Through these seminars, GEWN members acquired the skills to evaluate water footprints and adopt strategies to minimize water waste, establishing a basis for sustainable consumption across sectors in General Santos. This training encompasses the broader community, with the network striving to enhance residents’ knowledge of responsible water consumption.
GEWN recently assessed conservation options by visiting the City Watershed Conservation and Agroforestry Center in Barangay Olympog and evaluating it as a possible protected area. By assessing such areas for protection, GEWN aims to establish local nature sanctuaries that may function as education, biodiversity, and water conservation resources. The network collaborates with local officials to legally identify and develop these locations through community engagement.
In addition to conservation, GEWN focuses on water safety to protect the health of GenSan’s residents. Members of GEWN assist local waterworks organizations in formulating safety plans through USAID’s Water Safety Planning workshops, guaranteeing clean and dependable water in the city’s rural regions. By augmenting the network’s capacity for water quality monitoring, GEWN strengthens a crucial public health effort that serves every home.
The GenSan Environment and Water Network aspires to attain comprehensive water security by 2030. With ongoing assistance from USAID, committed members, and engaged community involvement, GEWN is establishing the foundation for a sustainable and ecologically aware future for General Santos City.
This network is more than a coalition of groups; it embodies a communal initiative for sustainability, urging all GenSan residents to take responsibility for conserving water and safeguarding natural resources. According to GEWN, each drop is valuable, and every endeavor advances the city toward a future where humanity and the environment flourish.
By: Shariffa Ellaisa G. Ampatuan